ISLAMABAD: Curfew has been extended in Rawalpindi as the city struggles to return to normality following the outbreak of violence in Raja Bazaar on Ashura on Friday.

Following the tense situation that prevailed over the weekend, the curfew has been further extended from midnight and will last till 6am today (Monday).

The Army was called in to take control of the city and curfew was imposed after at least nine people were killed and 44 others were injured during clashes that took place between two groups as an Ashura procession was passing in front of a seminary in Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar area on 10th Muharram.

In orders issued on Sunday evening, DCO Rawalpindi said that Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed and assembly of five or more people in any area of the city is strongly prohibited.

Army and police continue to monitor the security situation in the city. Mosques, imambargahs and various other places of worships have heavy deployment of security personnel.

Cell phone services in city were restored gradually while a brief relaxation in curfew allowed citizens to stock up on essential food items.

According to sources, a crackdown against miscreants has been decided after the culprits were identified from video recordings and photos.

On the request of the Punjab Government, a judicial commission has also been constituted which will led be Justice Mammon Rasheed Shiekh. The commission is expected to present its findings within a month.

A committee has also been constituted to asses the damage to property and businesses in the city.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Main Muhammad Shabaz Sharif has given instructions that a suitable place be provided for the damaged mosque and maderssah.

Sharif further said that people responsible for the tragedy will not be forgiven.

Rawalpindi tragedy victims buried

On Sunday afternoon, funeral prayers of three victims of the Rawalpindi tragedy were held amid tight security in Liaqaut Bagh. The victims were buried in a local graveyard.

Thousands of citizens attended the funeral prayers which were led by Difa-e-Pakistan Council Chairman (DPC) and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq. A large number of troops and police personnel guarded the area.

The funerals could not take place earlier due to the tense security situation in the city. However, after negotiations between the government and religious scholars, permission was given to carry out the funeral prayers.

Earlier on Saturday, funeral prayers of two other victims of Raja Bazaar violence were held in Battagram.

Mohammad Majid was buried in Kharari village and Rehman Shah in Jaswal village after funeral prayers.